Frugally Sustainable

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Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipes

Homemade Toilet Bowl Cleaner Recipes
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Clean your toilet naturally -- without harsh chemicals -- with these homemade toilet bowl cleaner recipes

Doesn’t it seem like these days that there are 100+ different cleaning product available for just the bathroom?

Not only that, but products for our drains, floors, toilets, counters, and glass…basically there are countless commercial cleaning products for just about anything you can think of.

Simplify.

If you’ve been following my blog. You know I mostly use these few ingredients to make all of my homemade cleaners:

  1. Borax
  2. Baking Soda
  3. Super Washing Soda
  4. White Vinegar
  5. Castile Soap
  6. Anti-Septic Essential Oils (i.e. tea tree oil, cinnamon leaf, lavender, eucalyptus, lemongrass, sweet orange and clove)

My journey into homemade cleaners began when I would read labels that said CAUTION, POISON, DANGER, or WARNING.

Thank goodness there are simple and safe products that can be made for use in most cleaning situations that will dramatically lessen my family’s exposure to toxins and chemicals.

For example, castile soap, vinegar, and baking soda can work wonders with even the toughest grime that may be lurking in my bathrooms.

Plus, there’s always the added benefit of saving money when making your own simple and quick homemade recipes, as well as knowing your creative efforts are free from toxins for you, your family, and the environment.

Here are a couple of my recipes for cleaning the toilets

Homemade Soft Scrub

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup baking soda
  • Enough liquid castile soap to form a paste
  • 5 dropstea tree oil
  • 5 drops of lemon, lemongrass, or sweet orange oil (optional)

*Buy in bulk and save! I get my baking soda, essential oils, and castile soap from Mountain Rose Herbs.

Directions: Add liquid castile soap to baking soda slowly until paste is formed. Then proceed to add antiseptic essential oils. Apply scrub to sponge for use on surface to be cleaned.

Toilet Bowl Cleaner

Ingredients

  • 3/4 cup baking soda
  • 3/4 cup white vinegar
  • 10 drops of tea tree oil
  • 10 drops of lavender essential oils

Directions: Combine baking soda and essential oils in a mixing bowl. When ready to clean toilet bowl add vinegar and pour mixture into the toilet. Then scrub with toilet brush. Note: This is a single use recipe. There is no method of storage due to the fizzing action.

Often times the “Toilet Bowl Cleaner” recipe is enough to clean the stains in my toilets.

However, there is the occasional instance when I’ve gone too long in between cleanings and tougher stains require the use of the “Homemade Soft Scrub” in addition to the toilet bowl cleaner.

Where Can I Get This Stuff?

–Mountain Rose Herbs…they have everything you’ll need for these recipes! It’s your one-stop-shop!

–Starwest Botanicals also has a beautiful selection of Bulk Herbs and Natural Products for Healthy, Natural Living!

–The Bulk Herb Store carries many of these ingredients if you’d like to price check.

Learn how to make your own homemade cleaners…
click here to get your copy of my ebook Simply Clean today!

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Comments

    • Caneyou help suff come off step dad stuff come off of him and. It sticking to toilet seat what can we use on it to keep it. From sticking

  2. My sister claims the easiest way to clean a badly stained toilet is with pumice. And it doesnt scratch!!!

  3. I use only baking soda and vinegar for most of my cleaning…and a pumice stone works as well. But because I clean the toilets every few days, nothing has time to sit and harden.

    Great post….enjoy reading your blog.

    Connie

  4. I have a septic system so I try to be careful about what I put down the drain. I've been using just the baking soda and white vinegar combination (just sprinkling baking soda and then pouring in the vinegar over it) and it works really well. I have well water also, so I get the hard ring pretty quick. The pumice works great for that.

    • If you are using these ingredients in your cleaning already then they are already going into your septic tank. All drains in your house should be connected to the septic. These ingredients though shouldn’t be an issue in the amounts we are talking though. The way a septic system works (incase you don’t know) it so provide a bacterial environment that breaks down the waste. Any anti-microbial ingredient (natural or otherwise) can cause a problem for a septic tank by killing off that bacterial environment. But, again, the amounts we are talking shouldn’t be an issue. One thing to consider would be ways to minimize the amount going down the drain. One way to do that would be to find ways to reuse the solutions such as make a solution of vinegar, water and essential oils in a bucket. Use this solution to clean the counters, doors, walls… when done with that use the remaining solution to clean the floors and finish with a clear water rinse if you need. Another way is to dump the solutions outside. HOWEVER!!! before doing this make sure you check your local “grey water” laws. If it is acceptable in your area to dump grey water of this nature outside make sure to chose a different spot each time so as to not build up a concentration that could be harmful to the plants in the area. I hope this helps!!!

  7. I've used just plain white vinegar to clean toilets. It works awesome in hard water areas because the acidity of the vinegar dissolves hard water deposits. I empty the water from the bowl first as much as I can so that the vinegar is more concentrated. I've never tried it with the baking soda added, but will give it a shot–it may be MORE awesome!

  10. We got a new toilet last year, and already the underside of the seat is very discolored and has some odor. Do you know what will get it clean and white again? I have tried that soft scrub but without tea tree oil…I'll have to try it with!

    • Hydrogen peroxide works well for removing the stains that may remain after cleaning properly with recipes such as the ones above. It is the only thing that I would include in my list of natural cleaning ingredients that isn’t included in the articles list.

  11. @MommaHen THANK YOU:)
    @'Becca Try the baking soda/vinegar recipe. And try spraying some vinegar under there. Vinegar should clean it…sounds like hard water issues.

  12. I make the same soft scrub recipe. I have scented castile soap, so I leave out the essential oil. It works so well, I always wonder how the toxic stuff continues to sell!

    • Great to know! 🙂 I’m just getting started in homemade cleaning recipes. We have very hard water and I’ve been wondering about just this very thing. Thanks!

  14. I have a green house cleaning business and all my products are homemade and they work better than the store bought – I use vinegar and baking soda for cleaning toilets – it is the first thing that I do when starting to clean a bathroom – I let it sit while I am cleaning the rest of the bathroom and at the end I scrub the toilet, it works wonders – for tough stains I use a pumice stone – incredible. Great blog.

  15. Where do you find the ingredients? I live in Indy which is not a small town but I never see these ingredients in the grocery stores. Do I have to order it all off of the net? Any advice?

    • You can find castile soap at target now, near the makeup section where they have the more expensive/natural brands of face wash etc. whole Foods on 86th street (about a mile east of Meridian, in Nora) has all the essential oils. Borax and washing soda at Meijer usually, but I would imagine theyre available at whole foods too.

  16. I just stumbled upon your blog and I think I am going to love it. Signed up to get your emails. I love the recipes you give for cleaning. Thanks.

  18. @Anonymous You should be able to find baking soda on either the baking or laundry aisle at your local grocery. Super washing soda and borax are on the laundry aisle also. White vinegar should be with the condiments or salad dressings. And essential oils should be in a local health food store. I have created an amazon store where you can purchase a few of these items in bulk online if you cant find them locally: http://frugallysustainable.com/go/amazon/. I also like to order essential oils from Mountain Rose Herbs: http://www.mountainroseherbs.com

  19. so- I too am a lover of home made cleaning products, but I have a (silly,dumb) question –
    Do you just sprinkle the soda in the water or on the sides where (my) stains are?! and then pour the vinegar directly over the stains or just into toilet. My toilets look awful and I don't know what to do so I really want to try this!!!!!
    email- [email protected]

    Jenn

  20. Do you make up any of the cleaning solutions in advance? For instance, could you have the baking soda/essential oils already mixed and store them that way, just adding mixing in a small bowl with vinegar when it's time to clean? Just wondering as I'd like to not have to measure everything out each time I need to clean.

  22. So glad I came across this! We use Melaleuca products (which I love, they don't smell and NO safety caps – cause they are safe), but they don't have an actual toilet bowl cleaner – so I have still been using the stinky store bought stuff. Now whenever I use it all that is going through my head is "POISON!!!!"
    Will be trying this as soon as this sickness is over!

  23. I like to put a few drops of grapefruit seed extract (GSE) into the toilet when I'm adding the essential oils and I love to use grapefruit essential oil… it smells SO fresh and is my happy scent!
    One thing that really helps, no matter what cleaning solution you choose is those magic eraser cleaners… seriously, even in the toilet. My kids discovered that and looked at me like "really Mom?" when I asked "it really works in the toilet too?" so I tried it and yep, they were right again. It actually got the mineral deposits in my toilet to pull away from the bowl in big shards… careful, they're sharp!

  24. I started using water,vinegar,a dash or 2 of dawn dish soap in spray bottles for all my cleaning needs. It works great, it's easy on the pocketbook and is not chemically dangerous.everything sparkles and smells great.

  25. I have a masonry jar of baking soda with tree tree oil in it & a spray bottle full of white vinigar. I sprinkle on the baking soda then squirt with vinegar. It works well but I’m excited to try out the soft scrub recipee, or pumace stone on stick that sounds great for those mineral stains! I use doTERRA essential oils in my clearners. They are so pure we need to cut the amount in half for the cleaning recipes. I make all my cleaners. Love knowing I’m not posioning my family. Took me years to really believe what I was seeing that when I used clorox wipes we got a tummy bug right after every time. 🙂

  26. So please clear this up, pumice as in the same stone I use to scrub my feet??? It will not scratch the toilet?

    • I can’t answer that Grace:) I’ve read about using a pumice stone but I’ve never tried it myself…anyone else have info on this?

    • It will not scratch the toilet at all. I have been using it for years with no problems and my mom has as well.

      You can buy it on a stick so that you have a handle to hold onto and to use all sides of the stone. I’ve only found it online or in catalogs. I can’t find it in any of our regular stores. Sometimes it starts to break at the handle if you really bear down on it, but if you keep up with the cleaning, that shouldn’t be an issue.

        • I’ve used a pumice stone for years and it works great on those hard water rings with no scratching. I found mine at Lowes in the cleaning isle.

          • You can get pumice stones at Home Depot as well and many larger grocery stores and sometimes big hardware stores carry them – they are wonderful on toilets – very easy to use
            and can take care of the nastiest stains.-

  27. I just used the soft scrub….i LOVE IT!!! i used on all surfaces that needed some extra scrub…toilets, tubs, and sinks. and the smells are wonderful! Thanks for all these tips. I love your blog…so informative and a one stop shop for frugal living 🙂

    • I love that stuff too! So simple and cheap:) And you’re right, it works on a multitude of surfaces.

  28. drywall sand paper (ive also heard it called screening) will take off that hard water toilet stain much faster & easier than pumice

  29. Accidently grabbed apple cider vinegar to clean my toilet…still works great…and a lovely smell! LOL

    • Tea Tree Oil is one of the most wonderful essential oils for disinfecting! I come from Australia where it is abundant, & it is antiseptic, antifungal & antiviral… I use it, diluted, in many skin preparations & it is wonderful for acne… but I digress! It is better than most of the disinfectant preparations you buy in the cleaning aisle… Lavender is also awesome, & I use it for everything from zapping zits, to adding a few drops to my laundry to really kill the bacteria that cause body odour smells… works wonders on shirts that never seem to get fully fresh under the arms! I also carry it in my first aid kit as it’s gentle to skin & kills so many germs! Great diluted for sunburn, too!

  31. For the soft scrub, can lavender essential oil be substituted for the lemon? I have lavender on hand.

  32. To everyone using vinegar and banking soda. An absolutely awesome polish, cleaner is Vinegar and oranges. I juice my oranges so I take the outside rinds and you put them in a pitcher or container of white vinegar. Cover solution for 2-4 weeks. I usually wait about 10 days. Strain the liquid and you have perfection. Keep in mind many cleaners have toxins but have orange oil in them. The peels release the oil. I clean my granite and it has never looked so polished. I clean all my cabinets, it polishes stainless steel perfectly as well as stoves. Plus it has a nice orangey smell. Thanks for the above info as well.

  33. What is “anti-septic essential oils”? I clicked on this sight since I thought they meant they were bad for septics

    • All essential oils have different properties, many of which have been instinctively known for centuries… the antiseptic oils are those which kill germs & prevent cuts & abraisions from becoming septic. Lavender is an extremely versatile oil, but tea tree is incredible, too! (also antifungal, so great for areas where mildew can develop. If someone has tinitus, or athletes foot, tea tree oil is perfect for cleaning the shower floor or shower mat, so that the fungal infection doesn’t spread – for the mat just add a couple of drops to your laundry (but be careful of prints or plastic logos on T-shirts or beach towels as it’s also reactive & can cause loss of colour or bleeding)

      • My dogs and cats drink from the toilet even though they hav re a drinking fountain can the tea tree oil hurt them

    • we place them in boiling water every month or so. Dont store them wet in a medicine cabinet either (mold). You could also soak them in rubbing alcohol to kill any “ickys”. We also replace them a lot, so inexpensive at the dollar stores. I buy toothbrushes for just about any occasion calling for gifts (family only though). My daughter has grown up over the 20 years expecting a toothbrush in her Christmas stockings, Easter baskets, etc. I forgot one year for her birthday and she was not happy!! she is 27 now and still gets toothbrushes.

      • Hey Darcy! I came across this site a while back. They have bamboo toothbrushes that are better for the environment. They are a bit pricier than plastic ones, but made sustainably. And, you can recycle the handles into little signs for your garden! http://www.brushwithbamboo.com/

  37. just a note on the anti-septic stuff. If you are on a septic, you must watch the “anti-septic” things you flush. you need the active bacteria to break down the body waste in the tank. Same goes with anti-bacteria cleaners and such. As always, flush nothing but toilet paper and body wastes. No wipes, condoms, bleaches, foods, sanitary products such as tampons, etc. I work for a septic company and trust me, just toilet paper and body wastes. Stay away from the septic additives you can buy from the store, too. Waste of money. If they worked, we would sell them.

  38. and dont forget the wonderful cleaning agent in the soapwort plant! been growing it and using it for about 3 years now! hand soap, shampoo, household cleaner, etc. amazing what nature supplies…

  39. Wow, thanks for the cleaning recipes, I am a little OCD and woeking in the hospital I have come accustom to cleaning with harsh chemicals i.e. BLEACH! i have been transitioning to a green life since starting my new position at this new green phamracy. I cant wait to share your knowledge and your site. I see you use mountain rose herbs alot, I like them but wanted to just throw out another option, since we have been in business we have been using Texas Natural Supply alot and they have certified organic products and essential oils, they sometimes have a little better prices on some things. i think having a few great places to purchase from is always handy. thanks again, I cant wait to go clean my place 🙂

  42. Hi there!

    Another satisfied housewife! I started this “make your own cleaners” journey about 6 months ago with a very skeptical husband. We started with laundry soap and he just admitted today that he thought it worked pretty well. Today when I announced I was going to walmart to buy things to make other cleaners he once again was a little reserved but when he gets home I think he will be pleased.

    Today I made and used: both items listed on this post, window cleaner, mirror cleaner, dish soap, and all purpose cleaner. I also found a recipe on another site for floor cleaner that was very similar to your all purpose cleaner and use that too. MMmmmmm the house smells great!

    Thanks for the time and energy you put into this blog. It’s amazing! Oh and by the way, I shared your blog on Facebook!

  43. I also use citrus infused vinegar. It works really well. I use it with my homemade laundry soap when i wash my colors.

  45. I found an amazing bathroom cleaner through a friend (and Pinterest) that is mostly vinegar with a bit of Dawn dish soap. Today was one of those times when MY toilet had gone a bit longer between cleanings than it should have and as I sprayed my mixture the stains were literally disappearing before my eyes!! What would be the natural (and equally effective) alternative for Dawn? I saw your liquid dish soap recipe, and was curious if this would react in the same way with the vinegar. Thanks!

  46. Have tried everything!!!!! to remove rust stain from all plumbing and laundry water (resulting in yellow whites and other colors) as well as sinks, showers, washer tub, and on and on.but no luck. We have well water. Help?????? Thank you

  47. Have tried everything to remove rust stains in toilets, showers, sinks, washer tub and clothining in wash but no luck. We have well water and septic tank. Help, please ????????

  48. Do you know of a good homemade recipe for removing mold from tiles in the shower? I do not want to use bleach – too toxic! Love these recipes by the way – and all the great comments!

  50. Could you recommend an alternative to the tea tree oil? My family has an aversion to anything containing it.
    Thanks

  52. I have just started do these homemade recipes. I need to know where to find castille soap. I have looked in Walmart and asking anyone in there for it is like pulling teeth. What dept. would it be in if Walmart sells it? Thanks for all the great info, I never knew how well vinegar cleaned everything, thought it was just good for windows and coffee pots,LOL . 2nd Question, as for the toilet cleaner and soft scrub; can you use the washing baking soda or just plan baking soda?

    • Hi Cindy, you posted this a while ago so I hope you found it! I have never seen castille soap at Walmart. Our local health food store carries it.

      Amazon also carries Bronner’s castille soap, which seems to be the most popular brand. Make sure to check the ingredients, because one castille soap on Amazon I considered had synthetic chemicals (don’t remember which brand, but it wasn’t Bronners).

  53. You can remove the water , or most of it, from the bottom of the bowl by simply using the toilet bowl brush….just keep ramming it down the drain (not violently!) and the water will leave. This gives you a less diluted vinegar and soda mixture and you can get at that water line easier. .. a plunger works as well but, hey, the brush is already there!

  55. Hi love your blog and all the info on living naturally. Just wondering if you know
    of any natural cleaner I can make that will remove rust from the bathroom sink and toilet. Our water
    has a lot of iron in it and leaves a rust stain. I have been using a store bought cleaner
    for this but would like to use a more natural cleaner like I do for everything else but
    nothing I have made has worked so far. Any one have any ideas what I could try.

  57. Oh My God – I LOVE you people! I have been struggling with the dreaded hard water ring for 8 years of living with hard water from a well and (thought) I tried everything – both commercial and DIY…
    UNTIL NOW!!!
    I just walked away from this blog, grabbed my pumice stone from the bathtub and in less than 2 minutes, it’s gone – TOTALLY GONE!!! off to the other 2 toilets now. THANK YOU! ♥

  58. It MIGHT have been helpful if it had been mentioned that the material, before putting in the molds, would NOT hold together, but be in a powder-y form. I thought I had done something wrong, because the ‘final product’ was still just a powder, so I decided to use it by taking a tablespoons and putting it in the toilet: Well, this morning I tried it, but the entire thing had hardened in the container!!! Now I have a huge solid rock of the material, with no way to even measure it out and use. AAARRRRGGGGG!!!

  60. I believe that home made toilet cleaner is good, just because it is ecologic and more safe, but I still think that professional cleaners are the best ones, just because they not only cleans, but also destroys bacterias and so on. For example I always use this cleaner- valikliai tualetui , just because it is ecologic and cleans, in my opinion, the best. Try 🙂

  61. Cleaners are The tool to fight against bacteria, do you think these natural cleaners can make such a thing? I do not 🙂 For that reason I buy only professional cleaners, such as – deutsche Reiniger 🙂 I do not want to play with my health 🙂